“The Beauty of Nature and the Nature of Beauty”A Solo exhibition by Canadian artist TM GLASS

WHAT: A Private Media and Industry Preview of “The Beauty of Nature and the Nature of Beauty” exhibit by Canada Blooms and Landscape Ontario is an incomparable technology-driven photographic journey into the horticulture of the last 150 years of Canadian flowers – with a special tie to the nation’s birthday. Created by renowned Canadian artist, TM Glass, known for an exceptional mix of photography, digital painting and still life imagery reveals, in this series of limited edition archival prints, the rising Canadian passion for gardening and love of floral beauty that began in early pioneer days. Portraits of flowers from this garden appear in vases that were photographed with special permission at the Royal Ontario Museum, Gardiner Ceramic Museum and Vancouver Art Gallery.

As interesting is the history of Canada’s robust floral industry. From the native anemone to the parrot tulip, white clematis, rose and more, this first of its kind exhibit chronicles for you how flowers came to Canada (It’s a great story involving merchant cargo ships, sea captains, rare bulbs and even a Canadian hybridized winter-hardy rose named Emily Carr by its nursery grower). Also in this private preview, will be a display - of historic seed catalogues from 1867 to 1950 showing the kinds of flowers grown in early-days Canadian gardens.

Grassy Narrows – Chief Fobister of Grassy Narrows is responding to day to comments made yesterday by Prime Minister Trudeau.

“Trudeau is letting my people down by failing to lead on solving our mercury crisis,” said Chief Simon Fobister of Grassy Narrows. “How can Trudeau say that he is reconciling with First Nations while passing the buck on cleaning up an ongoing toxic leak that has plagued our health and undermined our culture for fifty years? Trudeau must firmly commit to do everything in his power to clean up the mercury in our river and to ensure that mercury survivors receive proper support and state of the art care.”

In January Trudeau’s office said that he would “deal with [the mercury] issue once and for all."

But yesterday, following news that there is likely an ongoing source of mercury leaking from the site of the old chemical plant in Dryden, Trudeau appeared to backtrack. At a news conference in Calgary Trudeau said that "the Grassy Narrows issue is very much a provincial issue."

The Chief, and his predecessor, wrote to Trudeau three times in the past year inviting him to partner with them on cleaning up the mercury contamination of the English-Wabigoon River so that they can safely fish for walleye – a central part of their Indigenous diet, livelihood, and culture.

CONTACT: Chief Simon Fobister: 807-407-0170

BACKGROUND

Under section 91 of the Constitution Act, 1867 the Federal Government has exclusive jurisdiction over inland fisheries. The federal Fisheries Act prohibits the deposit of deleterious substances into water frequented by fish, including species that support indigenous fisheries (s. 91(12)).

"Mercury and its compounds" have been designated as "toxic" under Schedule 1 of the federal Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (s. 91(27)). Moreover, the federal government has used CEPA to pass regulations in relation to pulp/paper mill effluent, including releases of chlor-alkali mercury (see SOR/90-130).

The federal government also has responsibilities for First Nations under the Treaties and the constitution, and a concurrent jurisdiction over public health.

Fake news is an inaccurate, sometimes sensationalistic report that is created to gain attention, mislead, deceive or damage a reputation. Unlike misinformation, which is inaccurate because a reporter has confused facts, fake news is created with the intent to manipulate someone or something. Fake news can spread quickly when it provides disinformation that is aligned with the audience's point of view because such content is not likely to be questioned or discounted.

In recent years, the internet has provided a low-cost distribution channel for fake news. Posting fake news in discussion forums, website comment fields, blogs and social media websites requires little, if any, technical know-how. Social media websites in particular have proved to be an easy venue for distributing fake news. Bogus stories can be tweeted or posted from a mobile smartphone and quickly distributed to a large audience through retweets and sharing.

Although some creators and distributors of fake news have political or social agendas, others are more entrepreneurial, using fake news that appeals to recipients on an emotional level to make money from digital advertising placed around the content. When fake news is used to spread propaganda, it can be dangerous. In addition to shaping public opinion and behavior, it can also cause mistrust, encourage dissent and deflect attention from real news.

In response to criticism about failing to curb the distribution of fake news during the 2016 presidential election in the United States, Facebook and Google have taken steps to crack down on disinformation. They have formed a coalition called First Draft and are working with major media outlets to educate Internet users about how to spot fake news. They are also working with third parties to create independent fact-checking websites and are exploring ways to identify and label news stories that can not be verified, much like the way Wikipedia editors label entries they feel should be questioned.

On the internet, news that is created with the intent to deceive often has poor grammar and misspelled words; it may use racial language or have an excessive number of capital letters and exclamation points. To verify the accuracy of a news story, it can be useful to query a search engine in order to confirm that legitimate, traditional news sources are also covering the story; fake news stories often have only one source. Another strategy for identifying fake news is to check the host site's domain name and URL. Often, fake news will appear to have a legitimate-sounding domain name, but will have a URL that ends in .com.co or another unusual suffix.

Unlike other areas where machine learning algorithms have been used successful, such as image recognition or natural language processing, there are fewer patterns to rely on with fake news. AI tool developed will need to have a component of judgment, something today's AI isn't quite capable of achieving.

In response to speeding and traffic safety concerns raised by residents, I have requested three separate Traffic Study to be completed along Marlee Avenue. Upon completion of each study, it was found that traffic signals were not warranted at Marlee and Wenderly Drive, Glengrove Avenue, Glen Park Avenue, Hillmount Avenue and/or Stayner Avenue.

Due to these results, I am circulating a petition to the community to demonstrate the urgent need for traffic calming measures along Marlee Avenue. If you are in support of traffic control signals along Marlee Avenue, please sign the petition at http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/marleetrafficlights

Please contact my office at 416-392-4027 or Councillor_Colle@toronto.ca if you have any questions.

Amnesty International: Homophobia Still Tolerated by Governments around the World

Governments around the world are failing to live up to their obligations to protect the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people, Amnesty International said on the eve of the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia.

“Ahead of a season of Pride events, governments across the globe need to step up and fulfil their responsibility to allow people to express themselves, protected from homophobic violence,” said Michael Bochenek, Amnesty International’s Senior Director for Law and Policy.

“Recent Pride marches have been blighted by bans and violent attacks – this cannot continue. Discrimination and restrictions on the rights to freedom of assembly and expression plague the lives of LGBTI people all over the world.”

In a number of countries there is a marked lack of will to tackle homophobia and transphobia. The authorities in some countries even go so far as to encourage it by introducing and implementing legislation and regulations that undermine the rights of LGBTI people to freely express themselves - in contravention of states’ international obligations.

LGBTI people are frequently targeted with violence during Pride events as well as in their everyday lives. Far too often attacks are not investigated thoroughly or promptly by the police.

“It’s outrageous that in 2014 authorities around the world are failing to legislate against or investigate homophobic and transphobic hate crimes. Even more grating is the fact that in many countries LGBTI people are themselves the target of criminal charges and state violence,” said Michael Bochenek.

“Everyone should be able to enjoy all their human rights without discrimination, including on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.”

This year Amnesty International is focusing attention on a number of countries where change is urgently needed.

Cameroon: Violence, arbitrary arrest and detention because of real or perceived sexual orientation are commonplace. Cameroon’s penal code criminalizes same-sex sexual acts and the offence is punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment.

Haiti: Attitudes to LGBTI people have become increasingly hostile since the 12 January 2010 earthquake, when a number of religious groups providing aid to Haiti claimed homosexuality had led to the natural disaster. In November 2013 men armed with machetes and handguns beat up two members of an LGBTI rights group at their office in Port-au-Prince.

Russia: A 2013 act has outlawed public LGBTI events. Several peaceful assemblies have been disrupted by the authorities on the basis of this homophobic law. Police routinely fail to protect LGBTI individuals from violent attacks.

Serbia: A Pride event planned for 31 May is at risk of a last minute ban. Since 2011 public authorities have banned Pride marches on the basis of threats from homophobic groups. A march in 2010 was overshadowed by 6,500 angry counter-demonstrators.

Uganda: On 23 February the President signed into law an Anti-Homosexuality bill which stipulates a life sentence for same-sex relations, and allows for the extradition of Ugandans having same-sex relations abroad. Violent attacks, arbitrary arrests and torture and other ill-treatment of LGBTI people continues with alarming frequency.

Ukraine: After being banned from the city centre, the first Kyiv Pride was held last year in an isolated location. Counter-demonstrators still tried to disrupt it, throwing firecrackers and tearing down banners. Organisers of the 2014 Pride on 5-7 July have received threats of violence, while the government refuses to legislate against discriminating towards LGBTI people.

Since the 1970s, Pride marches have been crucial for LGBTI people to mobilize against homophobia and transphobia, to stand against discrimination, to build bridges with mainstream society and to send a clear message to the authorities that they have a responsibility to ensure the rights of all people.

“All too often authorities try to wriggle out from their responsibility to ensure the right of LGBTI people to hold events, to be visible, to be integrated into mainstream society. As Pride marches are being organized across the globe, nowis the time for governments to stand firm and guarantee these basic rights,” said Michael Bochenek.

As Toronto Hydro crews continue to work around the clock to restore power to our community, I wanted to provide some important updates for those of you who I have not seen in your neighbourhood or who have not been following my updates on www.joshcolle.ca and social media.

First and foremost, I want to again thank you for your patience during this trying time and everyone's efforts to help out neighbours in need during this massive restoration undertaking.

If you, or someone you know, still do not have power, I would encourage you to contact my office with the street or address details so that we can ensure that Toronto Hydro is working on rectifying the problem.

Some important information as of December 27th at 12 noon:

• Toronto Hydro still has approximately 32,000 customers without power and they continue to work to get power back on as quickly and safely as possible. Additional aid has arrived from around the province.• Customers concerned that Toronto Hydro is reporting that their neighbourhood has been restored when their home is still without power, are advised to do the following: - Check to see if your neighbours have power, if they don't, it is likely that more work is to be done on your street. - If your home is the only house without electricity, check your electrical panel inside the home to see if the breakers are in the "on" position. - Check outside to see if the electrical equipment on your home is damaged or if the service wire is "down". If the wire is down, please stay back and contact a licensed ECRA/ESA electrical contractor. - If you have completed the above and your power is still out, please report your outage to 416-542-8000 or my office at 416-392-4027.• There are currently 43 City Forestry crews out today and working closely with Toronto Hydro. The Forestry crews work to clear downed trees and fallen branches and facilitate access for hydro crews to work on power restoration. Additional forestry crews from across the province are expected to respond and assist Toronto's forestry staff with debris removal beginning tomorrow.• City of Toronto reception Centres are still operating at Lawrence Heights Community Centre, 5 Replin Road and Joseph P Piccininni Community Centre,1369 St Clair Ave. W.• Residents are reminded that this week and next week, curb side collection on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday will move forward one day. This means that Wednesday collection moves to Thursday, Thursday collection moves to Friday, and Friday collection moves to Saturday. Changes are reflected in the residential collection calendar. Due to downed trees and hydro wires, collection vehicles are not able to reach some areas. There may also be delays. Residents should leave their materials out until they are collected. If required, additional collection crews will work on Monday (not a regularly scheduled collection day).• Please put any spoiled food in your Green Bin. Overflow can be left in a clear bag beside the bin.• All TDSB Buildings, including day-cares, are closed until further notice for necessary inspections due to the ice storm.• Approximately 125-150 traffic signals in Toronto are still without power. Please drive carefully and treat these intersections as all-way stops.

If you have any other questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact my office at 416-392-4027.

Ottawa, May 21, 2013 – Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney concluded a productive visit to Silicon Valley to promote Canada’s new Start-Up Visa, the first of its kind in the world.

“The message was delivered loud and clear to the entrepreneur community in Silicon Valley that Canada is open for business,” said Minister Kenney. “The new Start-Up Visa will help Canada attract the world’s best and brightest entrepreneurs to build businesses, create jobs, and fuel economic growth.”

During his time in Silicon Valley, Minister Kenney met with foreign entrepreneurs and influential figures in the start-up and tech communities, including founders of start-ups, accelerators, other business leaders, venture capitalists, angel investors and immigration experts to promote the Start-Up Visa and explain why Canada is a great place to start a business and invest.

Minister Kenney met Dave McClure, the founder of 500 Start-Ups, one of America’s leading start-up accelerators which provides mentorship and seed fund investments to help entrepreneurs become successful. He also met with members of C100, a Silicon Valley-based organization that supports Canadian technology entrepreneurship through mentorship, partnerships, and investment.

Minister Kenney also took time to visit Plug and Play Tech Centre which houses business accelerator programs for entrepreneurs designed to strengthen the growth of their ideas and start-ups.

Minister Kenney attended TiEcon 2013, the world’s largest conference for entrepreneurs, where he spoke with many international entrepreneurs, angel investors, and venture capitalists first-hand.

During his visit, Minister Kenney was a featured guest speaker at Stanford University where he spoke to scholars, researchers, and students who have a high potential for becoming candidates for the Start-Up Visa. While at Stanford, he also met with Dan Siciliano, a legal scholar and entrepreneur with expertise in corporate governance, corporate finance, and immigration law, and Vivek Wadhwa, Director of Research at the Center for Entrepreneurship and Research Commercialization and author of The Immigrant Exodus, one of The Economist’s Books of the Year for 2012.

He was also the featured guest speaker at an event hosted by the Silicon Valley Business Journal, attended by many prominent entrepreneurs and investors.

Minister Kenney also officially unveiled the new Start-Up Visa billboard:http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/photos/high-res/index.asp?p=105

“There is huge interest in Canada’s new Start-Up Visa and in Canada’s expanding tech sector,” said Minister Kenney. “Canada’s strong economic growth, low taxes and business costs, excellence in research and innovation, and top quality of life all make Canada a top country for innovative entrepreneurs looking to build their businesses. If you are a start-up entrepreneur and want to build a dynamic company that can compete on a global scale, then Canada’s Start-Up Visa Program is for you.”

The Start-Up Visa, which opened for applications on April 1, is an important part of the Government of Canada’s plan to build a fast and flexible economic immigration system. The Start-Up Visa Program is the first of its kind in the world and provides Canadian private sector organizations with access to a broad range of entrepreneurs – including the world’s best and brightest – in whose ideas they can invest.

At the same time, the program provides immigrant entrepreneurs with valuable assistance in navigating the Canadian business environment, which can be a challenge for newcomers, and enables them to build innovative companies that can create Canadian jobs and compete on a global scale.

Visit cic.gc.ca/startup for more information on the Start-Up Visa program.

Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CitImmCanada

Photos of Minister Kenney available at: www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/photos/high-res/index.asp and www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/photos/2013/2013-05-17/photo.asp

Her insights made during the discussion may shed light, for both world leaders and citizens, on how peace can prevail on the Korean peninsula and the world.

“There is nothing to worry about because the North Korean leader and the North Korean people are intelligent; they are human. They know it is suicide if they start a war with anybody,” the peace advocate explains. “Having denuclearization is the best thing to do because having a nuclear weapon is not an insurance for your country’s safety at all. If you destroy others, they will destroy you. … So nowadays, everybody understands the situation.”

To resolve the situation, Supreme Master Ching Hai encouraged sincere and fair dialog among the countries involved, saying that the North Koreans, “just probably want to be noticed, want to be talked to in a respectful or fair manner. Maybe that’s what we should do – talk to each other, fairly, respectfully.”

In particular, through meditation Supreme Master Ching Hai was able to share a deeper understanding about North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. “He doesn’t have violence in his being. He doesn’t want war at all,” she stated. “Even though he’s young, he’s a smart person. He has been educated in Europe, and he is in love at his age.”

Supreme Master Ching Hai said that with sincere plans and fair talks for denuclearization, the Korean peninsula could soon be nuclear-free. She stated, “They will find that Mr. Kim Jong-un is not that difficult to talk to. He is young; he is open. He has been educated in the West. It's just that he is (new and) young and (has) many advisors around him, and he has to cooperate with them also.”

She also offered insight on how North Korea could become a more successful nation, both in benefiting its citizens as well as the world. “We all live here together and we should get to know and appreciate each other and learn from each other, to make friends with each other on the same planet, as a big family. The free world people surely would like to make friends with the North Korean people.”

Beyond the Korean peninsula, Supreme Master Ching Hai further shared useful advice for any two parties at odds with each other, “Anything for peace is worthy to pay, and then it’d be done. (They) have to put down the pride, both sides, and really concentrate on the welfare, development, peace and prosperity of their own people, and just shake hands and sign and live next to each other in peace, like good neighbors. Then it’s done. … Every peaceful plan will be done.”

Along with comforting words of hope for a more peaceful world, Supreme Master Ching Hai shared a message for the world as follows: “(We) should concentrate on doing good things. Pray and meditate whatever way you can to the highest possible spiritual power. Eliminate evil tendencies in all corners of your life. Remember God at all times. Be grateful for whatever you have and all the blessings all over around you and in your life. Pray for the world’s wellness. Be vegan, make peace. And be grateful for your beautiful life and enjoy your short but beautiful existence.”

"Russians Set To Bombard America With MAT And The English Language May Never Recover"

Attn: KWWR-FM

Is it possible that swearing can have healing power? That’s the argument made by a Russian entrepreneur who wants to introduce MAT to the English speaking world and in doing so upset all sense of decency.

MAT is the term used to describe Russian sacral swearwords and the plot is simple yet ingenious. Introduce English speaking people to MAT and encourage them to use these Russian words regularly. The ingenious part of the plot is that very few of their friends and family will know that they are swearing and by using these words individuals will be participating in one of the best stress relieving activities around.

The leader of this plot to infiltrate the English language and scandalize Americans is Sergey Yanchevskiy. According to Yanchevskiy there is pure healing magic in properly shaped sacral swearwords, especially Russian language swear words. Yanchevskiy and his team are planning to gather the most effective Russian swear words into one book and then deliver these MAT guides to libraries throughout the United States.

Their diabolical scheme is to introduce as many Americans as possible to the healing power of MAT and they won’t rest until they can walk any street in the country and hear these Russian swear words being expressed on a regular basis.

In essence, the goal of Yanchevskiy’s project is to undermine conventional norms by making swearing more acceptable. Using Russian, a language few Americans know is the perfect way to allow people to swear without obviously offending anyone. It’s scandalous, it’s ingenious and it just might work.

Drawing on recent studies by some of the top researchers Yanchevskiy is testing out the new theory that getting made and yelling out swear words is healthy and in fact can have a healing effect. Researchers are now learning that getting angry every now and then and relieving stress by shouting a few swear words can actually help people cope with daily life in a more effective manner.

Of course there is always the problem of the social stigma of swearing but one can only be offended if they are aware that a swear word has been uttered. That’s where Russian MAT comes in. Like a covert operation, Yanchevskiy and his colleagues will infiltrate the English language and offer people the chance to curse to their hearts content with few people understanding what they are saying.

Yanchevskiy argues that Russian MAT is more effective at helping people cope with stress because of the way the Russian words are structured and how they sound. Forcefully pronouncing the Russian words correctly leads to the maximum stress relieve for those who say them.

Yanchevskiy is currently in the early stages of developing his book and is offering the average person the chance to take part in making the book a great success. He has teamed with Indiegogo.com to fund this project. The partnership with Indiegogo let’s Yanchevskiy enlist many different people in his subversive plot to infiltrate the English language and bring Russian MAT to the masses.